Question 569414
"For a mathematics project, 26 students were divided into four groups. 
G1 + G2 + G3 + G4 = 26
-------------------------------------
Two groups had the same number of student. 
Let G1 and G2 have "x" students.
-------------------------------------
The other two groups each had one more student than the smaller groups. 
Then G3 and G4 must have "x+1" students.
---------
How many students were in the smaller group?" 
-----------------------
Equation:
x + x + x+1 + x+1 = 26
4x + 2 = 26
4x = 24
x = 6 (# of students in the smaller group).
==============

also.. 
"When she graduated fom college, Regina was offered two jobs. 
One paid a starting salary of $30,000 annually, plus guaranteed increases of $2,000 per year.
S1 = 30000 + 2000x for x = 1,2,3...
--------------------------
 The other paid a starting salary of $25,000 annually, plus guaranteed increases of $3,000 per year.
S2 = 25000 + 3000x for x = 1,2,3...
--------------------------------
After how many years would the salaries be equal?" 
Equation:
Solve: S1 = S2
30000 + 2000x = 25000 + 3000x
1000x = 5000
x = 5 years
================
Cheers,
Stan H.